Cherokee National Forest Fall Color Viewing Report October 23, 2013

Color (or Expectation): Fall leaf color is coming on rapidly throughout the

650,000 acre Cherokee National Forest (Forest).

The northern portion (Watauga & Unaka Ranger Districts) of the Forest is showing considerable color, especially at elevations above 3,000’.

The southern portion (Tellico & Ocoee Ranger Districts) of the Forest is showing quite a bit of color above 3,500’.

Colors of red, gold, yellow and crimson are showing up rapidly throughout the Forest.

2012 File Photo

Recommended Viewing Routes: Northeast Tennessee Scenic Drives:

www.fs.usda.gov/activity/cherokee/recreatio n/scenicdrivinginfo Brush Creek Mountain Loop – Unaka RD, Cocke

County, TN - Latitude: 35.964287 - Longitude: - 82.943475 Travel along TN 107, Forest Road 209 (some portions are gravel) and US 25/70. FR 209 meanders through a

narrow canyon with rhododendron-covered bluffs.

Paint Creek Corridor – Unaka RD, Greene County, TN Latitude: 35.977583 - Longitude:-82.843763 Meander along 5-mile Paint Creek Corridor to historic paint Rock. Picnicking and many other recreation opportunities are available along scenic Paint Creek Corridor. Watauga Point 10/17/13 Unaka Mountain Scenic Drive – Unaka RD, Unicoi County, TN - Latitude: 36.117632 - Longitude:- 82.333151 From Erwin, this drive makes a circle connecting TN 395, graveled Forest Road 230 and TN 107, a state scenic parkway, past Limestone Cove. The route winds from the valley floor in Unicoi County, TN to high- elevation spruce forests and balds atop Unaka Mountain.

TN State Route 143 to Carver’s Gap – Watauga RD, Carter County, TN - Latitude: 36.106911 - Longitude:- 82.111158. - This state scenic parkway climbs through Roan Mountain State Park to Carvers Gap, with numerous long-distance mountain vistas, picnic spots, rhododendrons and spruce-fir forests spectacular.

Southeast Tennessee Scenic Drives:

Ocoee Scenic Byway – Ocoee RD, Polk County TN Latitude: 35.102244 - Longitude:-84.557121 The first designated national forest scenic byway in the nation includes 26 miles of US 64 and Forest Road 77. The two-lane route winds past Parksville Lake, through the scenic rocky bluffs of Ocoee River Gorge and past the Ocoee Whitewater Center. Take a side trip up the 7-mile Chilhowee Scenic Spur, Forest Road 77, to Chilhowee Recreation Area.

Hiwassee River Road – Ocoee RD, Polk County, TN Latitude: 35.198842 - Longitude:-84.473566

State Route 30 follows Hiwassee State Scenic River to the historic community of Reliance. Cross the bridge and turn east to Forest Road 108. Climb the mountain to Big Bend and Apalachia Powerhouse. Enjoy the views from Hood Mountain overlook and other spectacular sites along the corridor.

Tellico River Road – Tellico RD, Monroe County, TN Latitude: 35.323117 Longitude:-84.175768 Take State Route 165 from Tellico Plains to Forest Road Ocoee Ranger District 2013 210. The route follows Tellico River past Bald River

Falls, where you can pull off to view the magnificent

falls. A few miles farther, stop to view pools of teeming

trout at historic Pheasant Fields Fish Rearing Pools.

Cherohala Skyway – Tellico RD, Monroe County, TN Latitude: 35.324505 - Longitude:-84.177268

View some of the best mountain scenery in the world from this 43-mile National Scenic Byway through the Cherokee and Nantahala national forests. Drive along the sparkling rush of the Tellico River, stop at overlooks to take in expansive views of the Tennessee Valley and waves of mountain peaks, hike to high elevation mountain balds or nearby Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest. Stop for a picnic at Indian Boundary Recreation Area.

2012 File Photo

Estimated Peak Period: The average peak period of fall color in east Tennessee ranges from mid-late October through early November.

Northern Ranger Districts (Watauga & Unaka) - last two weeks of October.

Southern Ranger Districts (Tellico, Ocoee) – Last week of October and first week of November.

Temperature:

Fall is definitely in the air. The days have been cool and mostly clear, and the evenings have been clear and chilly.

Weather forecast for this week:

North Cherokee NF: The highs are predicated to be in the upper 50’s to low 60’s with a slight chance of showers Tuesday and Wednesday. The Remainder of the week should be mostly sunny. Low temperatures are predicated to be in the low to mid 30’s.

SouthCherokee NF: The highs are predicated to be in the mid to upper 60’s with mostly sunny skies. Low temperatures are predicated to be in the mid to upper 30’s.

Remarks:

Peak periods for the best fall color viewing can vary greatly from year to year. The factors that influence autumn leaf color are shorter day lengths, weather (primarily cooler temperatures and less moisture) and changing levels of leaf pigments. The only constant factor from year to year is the shortening day length. As days become shorter and nights grow longer, biochemical processes in the leaf initiate changing leaf color. All the other factors vary annually, making the prediction of autumn color peak difficult.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/cherokee/

For the latest Cherokee National Forest fall color viewing information contact any of these offices:

Forest Supervisor’s Office – Cleveland, TN: 423-476-9700

Ocoee Ranger District – Benton, TN: 423-338-3300

Tellico Ranger District – Tellico Plains, TN: 423-253-8400

Unaka Ranger District – Greeneville, TN: 423-638-4109

Watauga Ranger District – Unicoi, TN: 423-735-1500